Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The Little People

One of my favorite characters in my series, The Library Kids, is Liam who is a 15,000 year old Leprechaun.  He is very loyal and loving but if you get on his bad side, you'll be sorry because he is a very clever leprechaun with magical powers.

The story of little people around the world is a global phenomenon.  From Ireland to America to Polynesia, the stories of little people go way back.  In ancient Egypt, one of the ancient gods named Bes, was said to be a dwarf.  He was a god of war and a protector god in childbirth and of the home.  He was well known for protecting women and children.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:S_F-E-CAMERON_EGYPT_2006_FEB_01385.JPG


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bes


The other obvious place of little people is Ireland.  The leprechauns of Ireland are well known and are often said to be in possession of gold and precious jewels.  Many can grant wishes according to legend.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leprechaun



The Twa or pygmy people of the Congo in Africa, still exist today. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twa_people














The Native Americans have many stories of the little people that existed all over America.  Many were specifically located in Montana and Wyoming.  Sometimes the little people would play tricks on the Native Americans, but they never wanted their existance to be known and would beg a person who saw them to not say anything about their existance.


Native American little people
  • Nimerigar - Shoshone
  • Yunwi Tsundi - Cherokee
  • Nunnupi - Comanche
  • Nirumbee or Awwakkulé - Crow
  • Geow-lud-mo-sis-ing
  • Menehune - Hawaiian native
  • Memegwesi/Memegawensi/Memengweshii/Pa'iins - Anishinaabe
  • Mannegishi - Cree
  • Ishigaq - Inuit
  • Pukwudgie - Wampanoag



The Polynesians talk of the Menehune who existed on the islands before the ancestors of the Polynesians came to islands.  The Menehune are said to be master builders.

There are even archaeological finds today regarding the "Hobbit" people of Indonesia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_floresiensis


So you can see the little people have existed all over the world and still exist, today.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_people_(mythology)



By Rita Jean Moran (www.thelibrarykids.com)

No comments:

Post a Comment